After the prolonged cold weather that many of us have endured this winter, it’s probably hard to think about the onset of spring and the opportunities the warmer days will give us to rejuvenate our gardens.
Yet, spring is just a few weeks away.
Our gardens will start to burst into life, and so will the prime real estate selling season.
Many owners should now be preparing for the spring sales season if they want to move homes in the near future.
With the promise of significant interest rate reductions in the next 18 months, many buyers will be keen to capitalise on real estate opportunities this spring.
If you’re an owner who intends to put their property on the market, you’ll be looking to attract as many prospective buyers as possible to achieve your best price.
Preparation of your home is key – and as an experienced agency, we always recommend paying special attention to your garden at this time of year.
Whether you opt for an abundance of flowers or a mixture of blooms and vegetables, it’s important to get your watering right.
Below are six watering tips to ensure your garden looks perfect for when you put your home on the market.
Time your watering – Watering your plants during the day is a common error. While this might be convenient, it is less efficient because of evaporation. Also, avoid late evenings, as water sits on the roots of the plants and can cause foliar diseases.
Leaf it alone – Don’t water the leaves of plants. This isn’t how they consume moisture to grow and stay healthy. Focus on the roots. A watering wand or soaker hose is very effective.
Use the data – It’s a great idea to have a rain gauge to measure the amount of water your plants receive. Most plants need about 2cm of water each week, especially vegetables.
Soil risk – If the water pressure of your hose is too great, it will splash soil onto the leaves. Unfortunately, soil can carry diseases that either retard growth or will kill a plant. Tomato plants are particularly vulnerable to this problem.
Veggie patch – Give your vegetables a deep soak up to three times a week, depending on the weather. Resist the temptation to water lightly every day, as this promotes shallow root growth.
Seed strategy – If you’re considering planting seeds now, ensure they have plenty of water. You should water them lightly in the morning and check they’re not too dry by evening. If the top of the soil gets crusty, the seeds will not pop through.